JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP – Four people were hurt and all lanes on a section of Interstate 71 in Jefferson Township were briefly closed on Wednesday after a two-vehicle crash, according to the Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Harold Merz was extricated and transported by MedFlight to the Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus. Brenda Merz was transported from the scene by ambulance to Ohio Health Mansfield with non-life-threatening injuries.
Gregory Medlen, was also transported to Ohio Health Mansfield with non-life-threatening injuries. Zachary Krysler sustained minor injuries but was not transported from the scene.
The incident took place at approximately 12:32 p.m. near mile post 163.
According to the Patrol, a 2023 Freightliner box truck driven by Krysler, 39, of North Royalton, was traveling northbound in the right lane of Interstate 71, when he drove onto the right shoulder and struck a parked 2021 Toyota RAV 4 that was occupied by Harold Merz, 73, and Brenda Merz, 75, both of Westerville.
Medlen was a passenger in the truck.
All lanes of Interstate 71 were closed for a brief time but are currently open.
Assisting agencies on scene were Jefferson Township EMS, Mansfield Fire, Troy Township EMS, Ronk’s Towing, and Auer’s Towing.